Summary

Requires states to study and report the real costs hospitals incur for maternity, labor, and delivery services and to compare those costs with insurer payments. Expands Medicaid and CHIP maternal coverage (including 12 months postpartum), creates an optional coordinated “maternity health home” model, supports screening for perinatal mood disorders, and advances coverage of doulas and certain maternal providers. Sets notice and public-reporting rules when hospitals close obstetric units, adds hospital labor-and-delivery data to cost reports, and funds tools and temporary federal staffing (Commissioned Corps) to help facilities facing urgent maternal care needs.

Key Points

• States must study and report hospital costs for maternity, labor, and delivery and compare them to payer reimbursements.
• Medicaid and CHIP must offer 12 months of full postpartum coverage; presumptive eligibility is required for pregnant individuals.
• An optional federally supported 'maternity health home' model is created to better coordinate pregnancy and postpartum care.
• HHS will issue guidance to support coverage of doulas and certain maternal health professionals and expand screening for perinatal mood disorders.
• The Secretary may deploy Commissioned Corps personnel to help facilities facing urgent maternal care needs; funding is authorized for these responses.
• Hospitals must give 180 days’ notice and a public report before closing an obstetric unit; States must post closure reports publicly.
• Hospitals must add obstetric and labor-and-delivery data to cost reports starting July 1, 2026 to improve transparency.
• The legislation focuses on rural hospital support, workforce stabilization, and better data to inform payment and policy decisions.
• HHS must publish State study results and national findings to guide future policy and funding decisions.
• Some requirements (state studies, reporting) may create new administrative burdens for states and hospitals even where partial funding is provided.

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